Niles glanced at the wall clock in his office, grateful when he noticed that it was almost that time. It was his favorite time of the day, when he left work to meet his brother at Cafe Nervosa at 10:30 for drinks and conversation. Although they argued quite a bit and never really saw eye to eye on a lot of things, he loved Frasier and coming to Nervosa gave him a chance to get caught up. It was impossible to do so at home, what with Maris chiding him at every possible moment. He loved that Frasier completely understood, having been through a similar situation with Lilith before their divorce brought him from Boston back to his home town of Seattle. They had the same conversations day in and day out. And yet today seemed as though it was going to be different, although he couldn't quite figure out why.
He walked into the café and waved at Frasier who sat at a table near the window.
"Niles, how nice to see you!" Frasier said in greeting.
"Likewise, Frasier." Niles replied. He summoned the barista and ordered his usual half caf- non-fat latte with the faintest hint of cinnamon watching with some disdain at the couple next to them who ordered plain tea with cinnamon. Never in his life could he imagine anyone enjoying such a thing.
As they sipped their drinks and exchanged words of wisdom from the world of Psychiatry, Niles quickly changed the subject. "So, how are you and Dad getting along?"
Frasier sighed. "Oh well, you know how it is, Niles… Dad is… well, Dad."
"And how is this new home healthcare specialist working out? What was her name again? It starts with a D…Um…"
"Daphne." Frasier corrected. "Daphne Moon. Well, she's… interesting to say the least."
"Interesting how?"
"Oh Niles, I'll just go ahead and say it. She's a kook! But Dad insisted that I hire her so what choice did I have?"
"What's so wrong with her?"
"Well for one thing Niles, she's English! Isn't that enough?"
"I suppose, but I don't understand…"
"It's not important. You'll meet her sooner or later and you can see for yourself. But she's quite good with Dad and I guess that's the most important thing, isn't it?"
"Absolutely. So when do I get to meet this woman that we pay so generously to care for our father?"
Frasier chuckled. "My point exactly, Niles. Well, how about tonight?"
"Tonight?"
"Sure. I was thinking that you and I could take Dad out to dinner. It's been a long time since we've gone to a restaurant together. Let's go tonight!"
Niles was taken aback. "Tonight?"
"Sure, why not? Oh and ask Maris to come along, all right?"
Niles couldn't believe what he was hearing, for Frasier had nothing but disdain for his wife. It was hard to contain his emotions. "Oh of course I will! I'll ask her right now! Thank you Frasier!"
Frasier nodded. "Certainly Niles. After all Maris is family."
"That she is." Niles replied pointedly, taking note when Frasier seemed to ignore him. Apparently the point was taken, if only subtly.
The rest of the day went by quickly and he arrived home from work, eager to enjoy a night out to dinner with his wife, father and brother. But when he arrived home, he was met by Marta who stood at the foot of the stairs.
"Oh, Marta, can you make sure that Maris is ready to go? We have to be there by eight and I want to make a good impression on Dad's new physical therapist. Good help is so hard to find and well…you know..."
"Yes, I know, Dr. Crane. But Missy Crane…"
Niles' eyes widened. "What is it, Marta? What's wrong?"
"I think you should go and see for yourself."
Niles bounded up the stairs, loosening his tie and made his way to his bedroom door. Maris' door was still closed, so he knocked gently.
"Maris? Honey, can I come in?"
When there was no answer, he quickly turned the doorknob relieved that it was unlocked. "Maris, are you ready? It's almost time to-."
But he wasn't prepared for the sight before him. Maris sat on the edge of the bed wearing only her camisole, a half- slip and an expression that caused him alarm.
"Maris, what is it? What's wrong?"
She said nothing but instead let out a whimper that was so soft, he had to strain to hear it. He moved closer and attempted to put his arm around her but she moved away. The shunning hurt, but what hurt worse was the way she completely disregarded him.
"Maris, what about dinner? Dad and Frasier are expecting us at eight."
"No…" She said softly.
He cursed under his breath. He should have known this was going to happen. It certainly wasn't the first time and he knew that it wouldn't be the last. "Maris, please… What about Dad and Frasier? And this new home healthcare worker?"
"Just go by yourself Niles. I'm tired."
Dejected, Niles leaned to kiss his wife's cheek. "All right Maris. Sleep well. I'll be home soon."
He arrived at Frasier's much earlier than intended, but for the first time since Frasier had moved into the Elliott Bay Towers, Niles didn't feel comfortable coming over without giving Frasier when he reached the nineteenth floor by way of the elevator, he dialed Frasier's number. His brother answered right away.
"Hello?"
"Hello, Frasier. It's me."
"Yes. Well, hi Niles."
"Would it be all right if I came up early?"
"Well, of course you can come by!"
"Okay, thanks. Just give a few minutes."
"Great! I'll, I'll see you there!"
Niles had no sooner put his cell phone away than he saw his brother open the door. "Hi Niles, good to see you!" As his brother opened the door wider, Niles stepped inside, the door closing behind him. "Thank you for calling first."
"I heard your show today. I wouldn't dream of stopping by unannounced!" Niles replied, remembering vividly the woman who had called into Frasier's radio program asking for advice on her in-laws who often came by without warning.
Frasier looked around the room. "Where's Maris?"
"Oh, well I'm afraid that she's having one of her episodes. I came home to find her slumped on the bed in her half-slip. I knew right then and there that dinner was not to be."
"Oh, I'm sorry Niles."
"Thank you, Frasier. I am too. We were both looking forward to meeting the home healthcare worker. What was her name again?"
Frasier gasped lightly. "Oh, that's right Niles! You haven't met Daphne."
"No I haven't. I-."
"Daphne, this is my brother, Niles."
It was then that Niles noticed the woman standing at the table, folding a basket of laundry. He was immediately enamored by her; the way she stood. Her tall, lean body, long wavy dark hair and her oversized denim shirt paired with black leggings. This was Frasier's home health care worker? He moved closer and extended his hand, prompting Daphne to do the same. As their hands joined, he was stunned by how soft her skin was, how beautiful her eyes were; the color of chocolate diamonds. And the scent that surrounded her was heavenly.
"Hello, I'm N-iles Crane." He stammered.
She smiled and he was immediately pulled in by her beautiful eyes.
"When Frasier told me that he'd hired an Englishwoman I pictured someone a little more… not quite so… You-you're Daphne?"
"Why, yes I am! Daphne Moon." She said proudly.
"O-oh… Well, it's…"
"It's nice to meet you." She said, smiling sweetly.
He was in heaven. There was no way he could possibly go to dinner with his dad and brother now, not when there was an angel in his midst. Then he had an idea.
"Frasier, I'm having a thought. Since Maris has sadly dropped out of our dinner plans, perhaps Daphne can take her place?"
"Oh Mr. Crane, you're too kind." Daphne said. "But-."
"Um, Daphne, Niles is a psychiatrist just like me, so you can address him as Doctor."
"Frasier, that's not necessary. Daphne can call me anything she wants. She can even call me Niles!" he said, annoyed this his brother for embarrassing him in front of this enchanting creature.
Daphne gasped. "Oh, I'm sorry, Dr. Crane! I had no idea! But I wouldn't dream of calling your brother by his first name! It just wouldn't be right. I'll just call him Dr. Crane if that's all right." She turned her attention to Niles. "And to you to Dr. Crane. Oh my, it's going to be quite confusing having two Dr. Crane's around here! But I don't think I'll have much trouble telling the two of you apart!"
"So will you come?" Niles pleaded,his cheeks flushed from what he considered to be a compliment. "Have dinner with us? Please? After all if you're going to be taking care of our father, it's only natural to want to get to know you better and-."
"Niles!"
She smiled sweetly. "I'm sorry Dr. Crane I really can't, but I appreciate the offer. I need to finish this laundry for your brother and then get ready meself."
"Oh, where are you off to?"
"Me girlfriends and I are playing poker tonight."
Niles eyebrows rose. "Poker?"
"Oh it's just for fun. None of us ever loses more than two hundred dollars."
He couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Two hundred-."
"Yes, sometimes more sometimes less, but it's just for fun, right?"
"Right, well…"
Suddenly Daphne took his hand, causing his heart-rate to increase. "Wait a minute, I'm getting something on you!"
Niles looked at Frasier in alarm, but his brother only nodded.
"Daphne is psychic. We've decided to find it charming." Frasier explained.
Niles returned his attention to Daphne noticing for the first time that she was holding both of his hands. "Wait, it's getting stronger now." She continued. "You've had a rough evening at home, haven't you?"
"Yes! How did you know?" Niles replied, his eyes wide with surprise.
Daphne merely laughed. And when she did it was the most wonderful sound he'd ever heard. "Oh it's just a gift."
"It's wonderful!" Niles exclaimed.
"Niles!" Frasier warned. But Niles ignored him.
"I'm amazed,Daphne, really! It's wonderful!"
"Well, there's more where that came from I'm sure. Just give me time, Dr. Crane. I should get going. It was nice to meet you!"
"Likewise." Niles said. He went to grab Daphne's coat, but Frasier was too fast for him and before Niles could take another step, Frasier was already slipping the coat onto Daphne's shoulders.
"I won't be home too late. Have fun at your dinner!" Daphne called to the Crane men as she walked out of the apartment.
"We'd better get going, too." Frasier said. "Those reservations at Le Cigar Volante won't last forever. "Coming Niles?"
He wasn't sure how long he stood there, or even how he managed to walk out the door. But one thing was for certain.
Niles was in love.